UFC renews beer sponsorship with Bud Light

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has come a long way from the days when it was banned by most U.S. states and would have trouble drawing Chico’s Bail Bonds as a corporate sponsor. The MMA league has announced that Bud Light, the country’s top-selling brew, is renewing its sponsorship as official beer of the UFC.

Bug Light will serve as presenting sponsor of four pay-per-view telecasts in 2011 vs. two last year. The UFC and Bud Light together will work together to produce a live event set for New Orleans on Sept. 17 that will be aired on Spike TV. The beer brand will continue to get product placement through the Octagon, round cards, press conferences, weigh-ins and locker rooms.

“Bud Light’s sponsorship deal with us a few years ago was a milestone for our organization and the sport,” said UFC president Dana White in a statement.

Mark Wright, executive vice president of media for Anheuser-Busch, says the brand will offer MMA fans a “Battle in Bayou” national sweepstakes, that includes a three-day trip to the Big Easy.